From learning from the best in the industry to innovative culinary to the biggest nightlife parties, Las Vegas is the place to be. The 34th annual Nightclub & Bar Show has descended upon America’s Playground in epic fashion.
Show attendees who arrived over the weekend were able to take advantage of two incredible badge perks: access to entertainment and sports complex Top Golf and an industry party at nightlife heavy hitter Hakkasan.
Education is today’s focus, with intensive workshops hosted by industry icons like Dushan Zaric and Bob Brown; education sessions featuring Erick Castro, Tobin Ellis, Charlotte Voisey, Louie La Vella, Jessica Stafford, Megan Breier, Donald Burns and many more; and an inspiring keynote from Jim Meehan. Megan Breier of Beam Suntory will be hosting an engaging, entertaining tasting event called Bourbon is My Boyfriend, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub welcomes all attendees to officially kick off this year’s Show, and Cîroc partners with Jewel Nightclub to launch the limited-edition flavor Summer Watermelon for the first Platinum Party of the week.
Tomorrow, things go even bigger. Pat Fahey, one of a handful of Master Cicerones in the world, hosts BeerSavvy Training. Homan Taghdiri and Michael Tipps of Invictus Hospitality get deep into the leasing game and also the importance of a venue’s entrance. JROC and Ryan Labbe of Clique Hospitality team up with David Manica, the mind behind the 2019 Nightclub & Bar Cocktail Bar of the Year, The Monarch Cocktail Bar & Lounge, for discussion on concept and design. Laura Newman, the USBG 2018 Bartender of the Year, explains how to create bar programs that drive business. Jon Taffer returns to the Nightclub & Bar Show, delivering a keynote before officially opening the Expo Hall and giving Show attendees to meet and greet him on the red carpet. Make sure to spend time at the Nightclub & Bar Live Bar over the next two days to sample on-trend cocktails created by Bob Peters. And many more industry pros tackle go in on topics ranging from unique security issues to avoiding lawsuits to effective music programming.
On the main stage, our 2019 Nightclub & Bar Show Award and Flair Competition winners will be presented with their awards. Tuesday evening features in-depth and invaluable Hennessy Beverage Training hosted by Jordan Bushnell and Nate Greene. You don’t need to be a Cognac lover yourself to benefit from their knowledge, and they’ve both been known to convert the Cognac-averse into lifelong fans. Jon Taffer will host a Bar Rescue Happy Hour at Mabe’s BBQ inside the newly renovated Palms Casino. At night, On the Record at Park MGM brings the ‘90s back for our second Platinum Party of 2019.
Wednesday morning builds on the momentum from the previous two days of education and networking opportunities. Chef Brian Duffy will provide live menu consulting at the F&B Innovation Center, co-located with the Nightclub & Bar Show, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Bring your menus, bring your questions, bring an open mind! Bright and early—but not too early because this is Las Vegas, after all—an expert panel will take on the future of booze while Beautiful Booze herself, Natalie Migliarini, will teach attendees how to step up their social media. David Kaplan from Death & Co. speaks with Tanisha Robinson, the CEO of BrewDog USA, for the final keynote of this year’s Show. Kristin and Missy Koefod of 18.21 Bitters, Drafts & Dogs and The James Room will explain how to do draft cocktails correctly, and a panel of experts will explain how to make $300 million more dollars in 2019. The main stage will host a karaoke contest and the Nightclub & Bar Pitch Tank returns. Closing things out? A well-earned Platinum Party at Intrigue inside the Wynn.
Amazingly, this is but a cursory overview of what’s available at this year’s opportunity-rich Nightclub & Bar Show. This week, Las Vegas is the only place to be for operators, managers, chefs and bartenders looking to take their businesses and careers to new heights.
Just wait until you see what’s in store for 2020, our 35th Nightclub & Bar Show…